Reproduction device and display control method

ABSTRACT

A reproduction device including a reproduction unit configured to reproduce content data including at least one of audio, video, and text for which attribute data is assigned for each of a different plurality of attributes; a display unit; and a control unit configured to make the display unit display a playback screen containing at least one attribute data among the plurality of attribute data assigned to the content data when reproducing the content data and, when one attribute data among the attribute data composing the playback screen is selected, switch the display content of the content from the playback screen to the list relating to the selected attribute data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2005-309796 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Oct. 25,2005, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a reproduction device and displaycontrol method enabling a playback screen to be switched to a listscreen corresponding to different attributes.

2. Description of the Art

In recent years, the increasingly greater capacity of recording mediaand advances made in technology for compression of music, movies, stillimages, etc. have made it possible to store an enormous amount ofcontent data in the recording medium of a portable player. The increasein the amount of the content data which can be stored in recording mediain this way has made it necessary to develop a system for efficientlysearching for and displaying the content data desired by the user on thescreen. As one such method, there can be explained the method ofsearching for track names, album names, and artist names of the contentdata by their initials. For example, when searching by the artist name,the user finds the desired artist name from an alphabetical list ofartist names.

In such a portable player, the list of attribute data is hierarchicallystructured. The user searches for content data desired to be played byfor example selecting attributes of tracks to be played one by one fromlists of attribute data such as “GENRE”, “ARTIST NAME”, “ALBUM NAME”,and “TRACK NAME”. Many such portable players of the art have beendesigned to display information concerning the content data beingplayed, for example, the artist name, album name, track name, and otherattribute data, while playing the content data retrieved by the aboveprocedure.

In such a portable player, however, where it is desired to find and playother content data while playing certain content data, that is, forexample, where it is desired to play content data of another album ofthe same artist as the content data being played, it is necessary toreturn once to the uppermost menu screen and then again retrieve thecontent data or redo the retrieval by going back over the lists used forreaching the content data being played (namely in the above case, selectanother album by going back over the lists in the sequence of “TRACKNAME” and “ALBUM NAME”). Namely, in portable players of the art, therehas been no system enabling selection on the playback screen. It wasonly possible to return to the uppermost menu screen or return to theimmediately preceding list screen.

As an example of the art, see Japanese Patent Publication (A) No.2001-76415.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, it is therefore desirable to provide areproduction device and display control method enabling a playbackscreen to be switched to a list screen corresponding to differentattributes.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a reproduction device including a reproduction unit configuredto reproduce content data including at least one of audio, video, andtext for which attribute data is assigned for each of a differentplurality of attributes; a display unit; a control unit configured tomake the display unit display a playback screen containing at least oneattribute data among the plurality of attribute data assigned to thecontent data when reproducing the content data and, when one attributedata among the attribute data composing the playback screen is selected,switch the display content of the content from the playback screen tothe list relating to the selected attribute data.

Preferably, the device further includes an input part for receiving asinput an operation content, and the control unit makes the display unitdisplay a playback screen containing at least one attribute data amongthe plurality of attribute data assigned to the content data whenreproducing the content data and switches the display content of thedisplay unit from the playback screen to the list relating to theselected attribute data when one attribute data among the attribute datacomposing the playback screen is selected based on the operation contentinput from the input part.

More preferably, the display unit displays a cursor on the playbackscreen, and the control unit moves the cursor based on the operationcontent input from the input part and makes the display unit display thelist relating to the attribute data selected by the cursor.

Still more preferably, the control unit displays the attribute data byscrolling when the attribute data at which the cursor is arranged,contains a predetermined number or more of letters.

Preferably, the control unit controls the reproduction unit embodimentcontinue the reproduction of the content data being reproduced evenafter the display content of the display unit is switched to a listcorresponding to the specific attribute during reproduction of thecontent data.

More preferably, after switching the display content of the display unitto the list corresponding to the specific attribute during reproductionof the content data, the control unit continues the reproduction of thecontent data being reproduced until reproduction of other content datais instructed.

Preferably, when switching the display content of the display unit fromthe playback screen to the list relating to the selected attribute data,the control unit places a cursor at attribute data of certain selectedcontent data in the list.

Preferably, when any item of the list being displayed on the displayunit is selected, the control unit makes the reproduction unit start thereproduction of the content data corresponding to the selected item, andswitches the display content of the display unit from the list to theplayback screen containing a plurality of attribute data assigned to thecontent data.

Preferably, the control unit manages the content data by classifying itinto a plurality of hierarchical levels based on the plurality ofattributes, makes the display unit display any list of the plurality oflists composed responsive to the attributes, and, when any item isselected from among the displayed lists, makes the reproduction unitreproduce the content data corresponding to the selected item andswitches the display content from the list to the playback screencontaining the plurality of attribute data assigned to the content data,and, when one attribute data is selected from among the plurality ofattribute data on the playback screen, switches the playback screen tothe selected attribute data.

More preferably, the plurality of attributes are at least genres,artists, and track names of the content data, and the control unitmanages the content data by classifying the same to lists of a genrelist, an artist list, and a track name list based on the attributeinformation, makes the display unit display any list of the lists, and,when any item is selected from among the displayed lists, makes thereproduction unit reproduce the content data corresponding to theselected item and switches the display content from the list to theplayback screen containing the genre, artist name, and track nameassigned to the content data, and, when the artist name is selected fromamong the genre, artist name, and track name on the playback screen,switches the playback screen to the artist list having the selectedartist name as one of items.

More preferably, when one attribute data is selected from among theplurality of attribute data on the playback screen, the control unitmakes the display unit display a list other than the list displayedimmediately before the switching to the playback screen.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, there is provided adisplay control method when reproducing content data to which theattribute data concerning different plurality of attributes areassigned, including the steps of making a display unit display aplayback screen containing at least one attribute data among theplurality of attribute data assigned to the content data to bereproduced and switching the display content of the display unit fromthe playback screen to a list relating to selected attribute data whenone attribute data is selected from among the attribute data composingthe playback screen.

Preferably, the method further includes the steps of detecting operationcontent input from an input unit, selecting one attribute data amongattribute data composing the playback screen based on the operationcontent, and switching the display content of the display unit from theplayback screen to a list relating to the selected attribute data.

Preferably, the method further includes the steps of, displaying acursor on the playback screen, moving the cursor based on the operationcontent input from the input unit, and when one attribute data among theattribute data composing the playback screen is selected by the cursor,switching the display content of the display unit from the playbackscreen to the list relating to the selected attribute data.

More preferably, the method further includes a step of displayingattribute data by scrolling when attribute data at which the cursor isarranged, contains a predetermined number or more of letters.

Preferably, the method further includes a step of starting reproductionof selected content when one attribute data among the attribute datacomposing the playback screen is selected and continuing thereproduction of the content data being reproduced even after switchingthe display content of the display to the list corresponding to thespecific attribute during reproduction of the content data.

More preferably, the method further includes a step of continuing thereproduction of the content data being reproduced after switching thedisplay content of the display to the list corresponding to the specificattribute during reproduction of the content data until the reproductionof other content data is instructed.

Preferably, the method further includes a step of arranging the cursorat attribute data of selected content data as one item of the list whenswitching the display content of the display from the playback screen tothe list relating to the selected attribute data.

Preferably, the method further includes a step of starting reproductionof content data corresponding to a selected item when any item of thelist displayed on the display unit is selected, and switching thedisplay content of the display from the list to the playback screencontaining the plurality of attribute data assigned to the content data.

Preferably, the method further includes the steps of managing thecontent data classifying the same into a plurality of hierarchicallevels based on the plurality of attributes, making the display unitdisplay any list of the plurality of lists composed responsive to theattributes, and when any item is selected from among the displayedlists, reproducing content data corresponding to the selected item,switching the display content from the list to the playback screencontaining the plurality of attribute data assigned to the content data,and when one among the plurality of attribute data in the playbackscreen is selected, switching the playback screen to the list relatingto the selected attribute data.

More preferably, the plurality of attributes are at least genres,artists, and track names of content data, and the method furtherincludes the steps of managing the content data classifying the sameinto lists of a genre list, an artist list, and a track name list basedon the attribute information, making the display unit display any listof the lists, reproducing content data corresponding to a selected itemwhen any item is selected from among displayed lists, switching thedisplay content from the list to the playback screen containing thegenre, artist name, and track name assigned to the content data, andwhen the artist name among the genre, artist name, and track name on theplayback screen is selected, and switching the playback screen to theartist list having the selected artist name as one item.

More preferably, the method further includes, when one among theplurality of attribute data on the playback screen is selected, a stepof making the display unit display a list other than the list displayedimmediately before the switching to the playback screen.

According to the present invention, a reproduction device and displaycontrol method enabling a playback screen to be switched to a listscreen corresponding to different attributes can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome clearer from the following description of the preferredembodiments given with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of the configuration of a portable audio playeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A to 2C are views of an example of side surfaces and a frontsurface of a case of a portable audio player;

FIG. 3 is a table for explaining attributes of track data and attributedata;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the correlation and transition of screensdisplayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel of the portable audioplayer;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a main menu screen;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a music library screen;

FIG. 7 is a view showing the transition of a screen when searchingthrough all tracks;

FIGS. 8A and 8AB are views showing the transition of a screen whensearching in units of albums;

FIGS. 9A to 9C are views showing the transition of a screen whensearching based on artists;

FIGS. 10A to 10D are views showing the transition of a screen whensearching from genres;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are views showing the transition of a screen whensearching based on ratings assigned by the user in the past;

FIGS. 12A to 12C are views showing the transition of a screen whensearching according to the year of release of the track or album etc.;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views showing the transition of a screen whenselecting from among albums or tracks recently added to a hard diskdrive (HDD);

FIGS. 14A to 14F are views showing a playback screen and the transitionof the screen according to an operation of the user;

FIGS. 15A to 15E are views for explaining a scroll display of attributedata on the playback screen;

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining a scroll display;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of operation of the portableaudio player; and

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the front surface of the caseof a remote controller.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Below, a portable audio player according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be explained.

FIG. 1 is a view of the overall configuration of a portable audio player1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.1, the portable audio player 1 has for example a headphone terminal 11,audio reproduction unit 12, LCD panel 13, central processing unit (CPU)14, input device 15, synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)16, flash memory 17, HDD 18, and universal serial bus (USB) interface 19all connected via for example a data line 10.

The audio reproduction unit 12 outputs track data decoded by the CPU 14in the form of an audio signal and plays back the track via theheadphone terminal 11. Note that the track data of the presentembodiment is an example of the content data of the present invention.The LCD panel 13 is provided on for example the front surface of a caseof the portable audio player 1 and displays a variety of screens underthe control of the CPU 14. The main screens displayed on the LCD panel13 include for example a menu screen, initial search screen, settingscreen, playback screen, and history screen. These screens are switchedby the operation of the user via the input device 15. Further, the LCDpanel 13 has for example a touch panel. A location on the screen touchedby the user by his or her finger etc. is detected, and a detectedlocation signal indicating the location is output to the CPU 14.

The input device 15 is, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, configured asvarious keys provided on the case of the portable audio player 1 andoperated by the user. FIGS. 2A to 2C are views showing example of theside surfaces and the front surface of the case of the portable audioplayer 1. That is, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2C are views showing examples of theside surfaces of the portable audio player 1, while FIG. 2B is a viewshowing an example of the front surface of the portable audio player 1.

As shown in FIG. 2A, one side surface of the portable audio player 1 isprovided with the headphone terminal 11 and a HOLD key 22. As shown inFIG. 2B, the front surface of the portable audio player 1 is providedwith the LCD panel 13, a cross key 27, a BACK key 28, a VIEW key 29, anda MENU key 30. The cross key 27 is configured by an up key 27 a, a leftkey 27 b, a down key 27 c, a right key 27 d, and an ENTER key 27 e. Asshown in FIG. 2C, the other side surface of the portable audio player 1is provided with a rewind key 24, a play pause key 25, a forwarding key26, and a volume adjustment dial 23. The SDRAM 16 temporarily stores thedata etc. relating to the processing of the CPU 14. The flash memory 17stores for example a program PRG for defining the operation of the CPU14.

The HDD 18 has a storage capacity of for example several gigabytes toseveral tens of gigabytes and stores content data compressed by variouscompression methods or uncompressed track data etc. Further, the HDD 18stores various play lists prepared by the CPU 14. The USB interface 19is connected with the personal computer 3 and inputs/outputs databetween the device and the personal computer 3. The data to be input andoutput here is for example track data, content data other than trackdata, list data, etc.

The CPU 14 centrally controls the operation of the portable audio player1 of the present embodiment based on the program PRG read out from theflash memory 17. Further, the CPU 14 decodes the track data selected bythe user and outputs it to the audio reproduction unit 12.

Note that the input device 15 and the touch panel of the LCD panel 13 ofthe present embodiment are examples of the input unit of the presentinvention, the LCD panel 13 of the present embodiment is an example ofthe display unit of the present invention, the audio reproduction unit12 of the present embodiment is an example of the reproduction unit ofthe present invention, and the CPU 14 of the present embodiment is anexample of the control unit of the present invention.

Below, the list data corresponding to the different attributes and thelist screens will be explained. FIG. 3 is a table for explaining theattributes of the track data and the attribute data. As shown in FIG. 3,each track data has attribute data relating to different attributes.Here, “attribute” means for example the artist name, album name, genrename, and track name, while “attribute data” means data relating to theattribute.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the correlation of the list screens and theoperation method. In FIG. 4, “ENTER” means operation of the ENTER key 27e, “BACK” means operation of the BACK key 28, “DOWN” means operation ofthe down key 27 c, and “UP” means operation of the up key 27 a. Further,in each square indicating a screen, the number of the correspondingdrawing and the title of each screen are described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the portable audio player 1 has a list having ahierarchical structure. Each list corresponds to an attribute.

Below, the procedures from the main menu screen until the track to beplayed is reached will be explained.

The CPU 14 displays for example the main menu screen shown in FIG. 5 onthe LCD panel 13. The main menu screen shown in FIG. 5 has for example aplay button, favorite button, shuffle button, initial search button,music library button, history button, equalizer button, and settingbutton. The CPU 14 switches the main menu screen to the screencorresponding to each button by input by the user via the input device15 or the touch panel of the LCD panel 13.

The inverted black/white button in FIG. 5 means the button selected bythe input device 15 at present and moves corresponding to the input ofthe cross keys 27 a to 27 d. The inverted black/white button is selectedby the ENTER key 27 e. Further, the button may also be selected bydirectly depressing the button by a finger etc. via the touch panel ofthe LCD panel 13. The same operation method may also be used for thefollowing screens. Below, the case where the music library button isselected on the menu screen will be explained.

When the music library button is selected, the CPU 14 switches thescreen of the LCD panel 13 to the music library screen shown in FIG. 6for display. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the music libraryscreen. The music library screen shown in FIG. 6 has for example an allsongs button for displaying all track data as one list, an albums buttonfor displaying a list of albums, an artists button for displaying a listof artists, a genres button for displaying a list of genres, a ratingbutton for selection by rating (scoring), a year of release button fordisplaying a list classified according to the year of release, and a newtracks button for displaying a list of the track data stored in the HDD18 recently.

The CPU 14 allows the user to select and determine options by moving theinverted white/black button of the music library screen shown in FIG. 6by input via the input device 15 or the touch panel of the LCD panel 13and displays a screen corresponding to the determination of the user.

When the all songs button is selected on the music library screen shownin FIG. 6, the CPU 14 displays the all music list screen shown in FIG. 7on the LCD panel 13. FIG. 7 is a view showing the transition of thescreen when searching through all songs. The all music list screen shownin FIG. 7 is a screen displaying an alphabetical list of the names ofall tracks stored in the HDD 18. Here, it is also possible to displaynot the tracks stored in the HDD 18, but the names of tracks stored inan external server etc. When a track is selected on the all music listscreen shown in FIG. 7, the playback screen of FIG. 14A is displayed,the CPU 14 decodes the selected track and sends it to the portable audioplayer 12, and the portable audio player 12 plays the selected track andoutputs it from the headphone terminal 11.

When the album button is selected on the music library screen shown inFIG. 6, the CPU 14 displays the album list screen as shown in FIGS. 8Aon the LCD panel 13. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are views showing thetransition of the screen when searching in units of albums. The albumlist screen shown in FIG. 8A is a screen displaying an alphabetical listof all album names stored in the HDD 18, while the track list screenshown in FIG. 8B is a screen for displaying a list of tracks recorded inthe album selected on the album list screen shown in FIG. 8A. When analbum is selected on the album list screen shown in FIG. 8A, the CPU 14displays a list of the tracks recorded in the selected album, that is,the track list screen shown in FIG. 8B, on the screen of the LCD panel13. When a track is selected on the track list screen shown in FIG. 8B,the playback screen of FIG. 14A is displayed, the CPU 14 decodes theselected track and sends it to the portable audio player 12, and theportable audio player 12 plays and outputs the same from the headphoneterminal 11.

When the artists button is selected on the music library screen shown inFIG. 6, the CPU 14 displays the artist list screen as shown in FIGS. 9Aon the LCD panel 13. FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, and FIG. 9C are views showing thetransition of a screen when searching based on the artist. The artistlist screen shown in FIG. 9A is a screen displaying an alphabetical listof artists of all tracks stored in the HDD 18. The album list screenshown in FIG. 9B is a screen for displaying an alphabetical list ofalbums of the artist selected on the artist list screen of FIG. 9A,while the track list screen shown in FIG. 9C is a screen for displayinga list of tracks recorded in the album selected on the album list screenshown in FIG. 9B. When an artist is selected on the artist list screenshown in FIG. 9A, the CPU 14 displays the album list screen of thatartist shown in FIG. 9B on the LCD panel 13. When an album is selectedon the album list screen shown in FIG. 9B, the CPU 14 displays the tracklist screen shown in FIG. 9C on the LCD panel 13. When a track isselected on the track list screen shown in FIG. 9C, the playback screenof FIG. 14A is displayed, the CPU 14 decodes the selected track andsends it to the portable audio player 12, and the portable audio player12 plays and outputs the same from the headphone terminal 11.

When the genres button is selected on the music library screen shown inFIG. 6, the CPU 14 displays the genre list screen shown in FIG. 10A onthe LCD panel 13. FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, and FIG. 10D are viewsshowing the transition of the screen when searching from the genres. Thegenres selection screen shown in FIG. 10A is the screen displaying thenames of different genres in alphabetical order. The artist list screenshown in FIG. 10B is a screen displaying an alphabetical list of artistsof the genre selected on the genre selection screen. The album listscreen shown in FIG. 10C is a screen displaying an alphabetical list ofalbums of the artist selected on the artist list screen of FIG. 10B,while the track list screen shown in FIG. 10D is a screen displaying alist of tracks recorded in the album selected on the album list screenshown in FIG. 10C. When a genre is selected on the genre list screenshown in FIG. 10A, the CPU 14 displays the artist list screen of thatgenre shown in FIG. 10B on the LCD panel 13. When an artist is selectedon the artist list screen shown in FIG. 10B, the CPU 14 displays thealbum list screen shown in FIG. 10C on the LCD panel 13. When an albumis selected on the album list screen shown in FIG. 10C, the CPU 14displays the track list screen shown in FIG. 10D on the LCD panel 13.When a track is selected on the track list screen shown in FIG. 10D, theplayback screen of FIG. 14A is displayed, the CPU 14 decodes theselected track and sends it to the portable audio player 12, and theportable audio player 12 plays and outputs it from the headphoneterminal 11.

When the rating button is selected on the music library screen shown inFIG. 6, the CPU 14 displays the rating screen as shown in FIG. 11A onthe LCD panel 13. FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are views showing the transitionof the screen when searching based on ratings assigned by the user inthe past. The rating screen shown in FIG. 11A is a screen for displayingthe score (rating). This rating is previously assigned to each track bythe user by for example a five-step evaluation and indicates the degreeby which the user favors each track. The music list screen shown in FIG.11B is a screen displaying an alphabetical list of tracks having therating selected on the rating screen shown in FIG. 11A. When the rating(represented by the number of ★ in FIG. 11A) is selected on the ratingscreen shown in FIG. 11A, the CPU 14 displays the music list screenshown in FIG. 11B for the corresponding rating on the LCD panel 13.Here, the rating is previously assigned by the user. When a track isselected on the music list screen shown in FIG. 11B, the playback screenshown in FIG. 14A is displayed, the CPU 14 decodes the selected trackand sends it to the portable audio player 12, and the portable audioplayer 12 plays and outputs the same from the headphone terminal 11.

When the year of release button is selected on the music library screenshown in FIG. 6, the CPU 14 displays the year of release selectionscreen as shown in FIG. 12A on the LCD panel 13. FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B, andFIG. 12C are views showing the transition of the screen when searchingaccording to the year in which a track or album etc. was released. Theyear of release selection screen shown in FIG. 12A is a screen forselecting the year. The artist list screen shown in FIG. 12B is a screendisplaying an alphabetical list of artists having tracks released in theyear selected on the year of release selection screen of FIG. 12A. Themusic list screen shown in FIG. 12C is a screen displaying a list oftracks released by the artist selected on the artist list screen shownin FIG. 12B in the year selected in FIG. 12A. When a year is selected onthe year of release selection screen shown in FIG. 12A, the CPU 14displays a list of artists releasing tracks in that year, that is, theartist list screen shown in FIG. 12B, on the LCD panel 13. When anartist is selected on the artist list screen shown in FIG. 12B, the CPU14 displays the music list screen shown in FIG. 12C on the LCD panel 13.When a track is selected on the music list screen shown in FIG. 12C, theplayback screen of FIG. 14A is displayed, the CPU 14 decodes theselected track and sends it to the portable audio player 12, and theportable audio player 12 plays and outputs the same from the headphoneterminal 11.

When the new tracks button is selected on the music library screen shownin FIG. 6, the CPU 14 displays a list of the recently added albums, thatis, the album list screen shown in FIG. 13A, on the LCD panel 13. FIG.13A and FIG. 13B are views showing the transition of the screen whenselecting from among albums or tracks recently added to the HDD 18. Thealbum list screen shown in FIG. 13A is a screen displaying analphabetical list of albums recently added to the HDD 18. The track listscreen shown in FIG. 9B is a screen displaying an alphabetical list ofthe tracks recorded in the album selected on the album list screen ofFIG. 13B. When an album is selected on the album list screen shown inFIG. 13A, the CPU 14 displays the track list screen shown in FIG. 13B onthe LCD panel 13. When a track is selected on the track list screenshown in FIG. 13B, the playback screen of FIG. 14A is displayed, the CPU14 decodes the selected track and sends it to the portable audio player12, and the portable audio player 12 plays and outputs the same from theheadphone terminal 11.

The operation screen displayed on the LCD panel 13 therefore changes asexplained above. The screens change on the basis of input by the ENTERkey 27 e or the touch panel as mentioned above, but this operation is areversible operation. It is possible to return to the screen immediatelybefore the present screen by input by the BACK key 28.

Note that, as explained above, the screens display various lists, forexample, the artist list, album list, track list, and music list. Asthese lists, when transferring for example track data from the personalcomputer 3 to the HDD 18 via the USB interface 19, a list previouslyprepared on the personal computer 3 may be simultaneously transferredand stored in the HDD 18 and called up from the HDD 18 and used whennecessary, or the CPU 14 may prepare a list and display it based on theattribute data of each track data when the list becomes necessary.

Next, the playback screen will be explained. FIGS. 14A to 14F are viewsshowing the playback screen and the transition of the screen accordingto an operation of the user.

FIG. 14A shows the initial screen during playback of a certain track. Asshown in FIG. 14A, the playback screen displays the different attributedata of the track being played back. “Track_X” in FIG. 14A indicates thename of the track being played back, “E****_3” indicates the album name,“H****_15” indicates the artist name, “Rock” indicates the genre name,“★★★” indicates the rating, and “2004” indicates the year of release.Note that the attribute data displayed in FIGS. 14A to 14F is anexample. In the portable audio player 1 of the present invention, whenany of the cross keys 27 a to 27 d is depressed in the state shown inFIG. 14A, the cursor appears at a position of “E****_3” indicating thealbum name as shown in FIG. 14B, and selection by the ENTER key 27 ebecomes possible. Here, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 14A to 14F, thecursor moves up and down along the attribute data of the playback screenby depression of the top/bottom keys 27 a and 27 c, whereupon selectionby the ENTER key 27 e becomes possible.

Here, for example, when the ENTER key 27 e is depressed in FIG. 14B,that is, in a state where the cursor is placed over the album name ofthe track being played back at present, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 14switches the display of the LCD panel 13 to the track list screen forthat album shown in FIG. 8B. In the same way, when the ENTER key 27 e isdepressed in FIG. 14C, that is, in the state where the cursor is placedover the artist name of the track being played back, as shown in FIG. 4,the CPU 14 switches the display of the LCD panel 13 to the album listscreen for that artist shown in FIG. 9B.

In the same way, when the ENTER key 27 e is depressed in FIG. 14D, thatis, in the state where the cursor is placed over the genre name of thetrack being played back, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 14 switches thedisplay of the LCD panel 13 to the artist list screen for that genreshown in FIG. 10B. In the same way, when the ENTER key 27 e is depressedin FIG. 14E, that is, in the state where the cursor is placed over therating of the track being played back, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 14switches the display of the LCD panel 13 to the rating screen shown inFIG. 11 A.

In the same way, when the ENTER key 27 e is depressed in FIG. 14F, thatis, in the state where the cursor is placed over the year of release ofthe track being played back, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 14 switches thedisplay of the LCD panel 13 to the artist list screen for tracksreleased in that year shown in FIG. 12B.

Namely, according to the portable audio player 1 of the presentembodiment, regardless of the list screens going back until the track tobe played is determined, the display of the LCD panel 13 is immediatelyswitched to the list screen relating to the attribute of the attributedata selected on the playback screen. That is, for example, even in thecase where the track to be played is determined through the menu screenof FIG. 5, the artist list screen of FIG. 9A, the album list screen ofFIG. 9B, and the track list screen of FIG. 9C, when the rating isselected by the cursor on the playback screen of that track as in FIG.14E, the display of the LCD panel 13 is immediately switched to therating screen of FIG. 11A.

As another embodiment, when an album name is selected by the cursor onthe playback screen as in FIG. 14B, control for switching the playbackscreen to the album list screen of FIG. 8A can be considered. That is,the screen is switched to a list including the item selected on theplayback screen. In the same way, when an artist name is selected, thedisplay content is switched from FIG. 14C to FIG. 9A, while when a genreis selected, switching of the display content from FIG. 14D to FIG. 10Amay be considered.

Further, in the playback screens of FIGS. 14A to 14D, where the numberof letters of the attribute data over which the cursor is placed islarger than a predetermined number and the letters cannot all bedisplayed on the screen, the letters of that attribute data aredisplayed by scrolling. Specifically, for example as shown in FIG. 1 SA,when displaying attribute data having a number of letters too large tobe displayed on the playback screen, for example the track name“Track_abcdefghijklmnopqrstu”, album name “Album_abcdefghijklmnopqrstu”,and artist name “Artist_abcdefghijklmnopqrstu”, first, as shown in FIG.15B, the letters within the displayable range are displayed from thefirst letter of the attribute data.

Next, in order to display the letters of the attribute data over whichthe cursor is placed within the nondisplayable range in FIG. 15A, scrolldisplay is carried out. Namely, for example, as shown in FIG. 15C, theprocessing of displaying a portion “mnopqrstu” of the attribute dataover which the cursor is placed, i.e., the album name“Album_abcdefghijklmnopqrstu”, which was not displayed in FIG. 15B, oneletter by one letter along with the elapse of time, and deleting thedisplayed portion “Album_abcdefghijkl” one letter by one letter from thefirst letter and shifting the remaining letters leftward one letter byone letter is carried out. In FIG. 15C, the letters which newly appearby scrolling are underlined.

Further, when the attribute data over which the cursor is placedchanges, as shown in FIG. 15D, the scroll display of the attribute dataover which the cursor had been placed is stopped, and the scroll displayof the attribute data over which the cursor is newly placed is started.In FIG. 15D as well, the letters which newly appear by scrolling areunderlined.

Note that when the number of letters of the attribute data over whichthe cursor is placed is not more than the predetermined number and canbe displayed on the playback screen, the scroll display is not carriedout as in FIG. 15E. Of course, in this case, even if there is otherattribute data having a number of letters larger than the predeterminednumber on the playback screen, the scroll display is not carried out sofar as the cursor is not placed over it.

A concrete example of the scroll display is shown in FIG. 16. As shownin (a) to (d), in the scroll display, the letters on the left end of thescreen disappear one by one while the letters which could not bedisplayed appear one by one on the right end along with the elapse oftime. Further, when time further passes and the end of the attributedata is scrolled to, letters may be prevented from appearing from theright end again until all letters disappear once from the left end asshown in FIG. 16D or scroll display may be again carried out from thefirst letter of the attribute data with exactly a predetermined numberof spaces from the last letter of the attribute data as shown in FIG.16E.

Next, an example of operation of the portable audio player 1 will beexplained. FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of operation ofthe portable audio player 1.

Step ST1

The CPU 14 displays a predetermined list on the LCD panel 13. Thepredetermined list is for example the music library screen shown in FIG.6.

Step ST2

The CPU 14 judges whether an item on the list displayed at step ST1, forexample, an artist, was selected. It proceeds to step ST3 when it was,while re-does step ST2 when it was not.

Step ST3

The CPU 14 displays the list of the item selected at step ST2 on the LCDpanel 13. For example, when an artist is selected, the artist selectionscreen shown in FIG. 9A is displayed.

Step ST4

The CPU 14 judges whether there is a command to play the contentselected on the list displayed at step ST3. When there is no playcommand, the routine returns to step ST2, while when there is a playcommand, the routine proceeds to step ST5. Note that, specifically, theplay command is given by selecting a track by for example the all songsselection screen of FIG. 7, the track list screens of FIG. 8B, FIG. 9C,FIG. 10D, FIG. 11B, and FIG. 13B, and the music selection screen of FIG.12C and depressing the ENTER key 27 e.

Step ST5

The CPU 14 plays the track for which the play command was issued at stepST4. Specifically, for example, it plays the track for which the playcommand was issued on the track list screen of FIG. 9C.

Step ST6

The CPU 14 displays the attribute data of the content started to beplayed at step ST5 on the LCD panel 13. Namely, for example, as in FIG.14A, the track name, album name, artist name, genre name, rating, yearof release, etc. of the track started to be played are displayed.

Step ST7

The CPU 14 proceeds to step ST8 when there is an operation fordisplaying the cursor on the playback screen displayed on the LCD panel13 (input by up key 27 a or down key 27 c) at step ST6, while returns tostep ST6 and waits for input when there was no operation.

Step ST8

The CPU 14 judges whether or not the number of letters of the attributedata over which the cursor was placed at step ST7 is larger than apredetermined number (number of letters which can be displayed on theplayback screen), proceeds to step ST9 when the number of letters islarger, while proceeds to step ST10 when not.

Step ST9

The CPU 14 displays the attribute data by scrolling.

Step ST10

The CPU 14 returns to step ST8 when there was an operation for movingthe cursor (input of the up key 27 a or the down key 27 c), whileproceeds to step ST11 where there was no operation.

Step ST11

The CPU 14 judges whether the attribute data over which the cursor isplaced at present was selected by operation by the input device 15 orthe touch panel on the playback screen, proceeds to step ST12 when theattribute data was selected, while proceeds to step ST13 when it wasnot.

Step ST12

The CPU 14 displays a list corresponding to the attribute data selectedat step ST11 on the LCD panel 13. Namely, as shown in FIG. 4, on the LCDpanel 13, the CPU 14 displays the track list of the album shown in FIG.8B when the album name of the track being played back shown in FIG. 14Bis selected, displays the album list of the artist shown in FIG. 9B whenthe artist name shown in FIG. 14C is selected, displays the artist listof the genre shown in FIG. 10B when the genre shown in FIG. 14D isselected, displays the rating selection screen shown in FIG. 11A whenthe rating shown in FIG. 14E is selected, and displays the artist listof tracks released in the year shown in FIG. 12B when the year ofrelease shown in FIG. 14F is selected.

Note that the CPU 14 continues to play back the track being played evenafter switching the screen until a play command of the next track isgiven.

Step ST13

The CPU 14 judges whether or not the playback of the track being playedends, returns to step ST11 when it does not, while proceeds to step ST14when it does.

Step ST14

The CPU 14 plays the next track of the list including the track finishedbeing played at step ST13 irrespective of the screen displayed on theLCD panel 13, then returns to step ST6. The list to which the trackbelongs is for example the track list shown in FIG. 8B when the cursoris advanced from the music library screen shown in FIG. 6 to the albumlist screen shown in FIG. 8A and the track list screen shown in FIG. 8Bin this sequence and the present track is selected. Namely, it means anylist among the screens shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8B, FIG. 9C, FIG. 10D, FIG.11B, FIG. 12C, and FIG. 13B displayed for reaching the track finishedbeing played. Namely, for example, the artist list screen is displayedon the LCD panel 13 at present. Even in the selection waiting state,irrespective of that screen, the CPU 14 starts to play the next track ofthe list to which the above track belongs.

Note that, in the above example of operation, the explanation was givenof the case where the lists were followed as shown in FIG. 4 from themusic library screen shown in FIG. 6, but the portable audio player 1 ofthe present embodiment may play back tracks according to a play listetc. previously prepared and stored in the HDD 18. In this case, the“next track of the list” played back at step ST14 becomes the next trackof that play list. This play list may be prepared on the portable audioplayer 1 or a list prepared on a PC may be stored in the HDD 18 as it iswhen transferring the tracks from the PC.

As explained above, when the user wants to play a track related to atruck currently being played, according to the portable audio player 1of the present embodiment, it is possible to select the attribute datadisplayed during playback of the current track embodiment display a listcorresponding to that attribute, therefore it is possible to display alist of the tracks desired by a simple operation and in a relativelyshort time in comparison with the conventional case. Further, accordingto the portable audio player 1 of the present embodiment, regardless ofthe list screens followed until the track to be played is determined,the display of the LCD panel 13 is immediately switched to the listscreen concerning the attribute of the attribute data selected on theplayback screen, therefore the screen display of the LCD panel 13 can beswitched to the desired list screen without forcing troublesomeoperation on the user.

Note that, in the present embodiment, various keys included in the inputdevice 15 and the touch panel of the LCD panel 13 provided on the caseof the portable audio player 1 were exemplified as the inputting meansof the present invention, and the LCD panel 13 was exemplified as thedisplay, but for example, an input device 41 including various buttonsdisposed on the case of a remote controller 4 shown in FIG. 18 may beused as the inputting means, and an LCD panel 42 may be used as thedisplay. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the front surface ofthe case of the remote controller 4.

As shown in FIG. 18, the remote controller 4 has the input device 41, anLCD panel 42, a cable 43, and a headphone terminal 44. The input device41 is containing various keys disposed on the front surface, sidesurfaces, and the back surface of the remote controller 41 and receivesinput by operation of the user in the same way as the input device 15 ofthe portable audio player 1.

The LCD panel 42 performs for example the same display as that of theLCD panel 13 of the portable audio player 1 via the cable 43 mentionedlater by the CPU 14 of the portable audio player 1. The cable 43 is abi-directional (two way) communication device connected with for examplethe headphone terminal 11 of the portable audio player 1, transferringthe input by the operation of the user received by the input device 41to the CPU 14 of the portable audio player 1, transferring the signalissued by the CPU 14 of the portable audio player 1 for displaying thescreen on the LCD panel 42 to the remote controller 4 side, ortransferring the audio signal of the track played back by the audioreproduction unit 12 of the portable audio player 1 to the headphoneterminal 44 on the remote controller 4 side.

The headphone terminal 44 connects a headphone or other output deviceand outputs the audio signal of the track played by the audioreproduction unit 12 of the portable audio player 1 transferred via thecable 43 to the output apparatus.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Namely,those skilled in the art can perform a variety of modifications,combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions concerning thecomponents of the embodiments mentioned above within the technical rangeof the present invention or equivalent range to that.

In the above embodiments according to the present invention, an LCDpanel 13 was used as the display, but as the display device, use mayalso be made of for example an organic EL (electroluminescence) panel.

Note that, in the above embodiments according to the present invention,the data was communicated via the personal computer 3 and the USBinterface 19, but the present invention is not limited to this. Forexample, the data can be communicated via the server etc. distributingthe track data and wireless communications such as infraredcommunication and a wireless LAN.

Further, in the above embodiments according to the present invention,the track data was explained as an example of the content data, but thepresent invention is not limited to this. The content data may be forexample movies, still images, and text data. Further, the informationdisplayed on the playback screen may include, other than that explainedin the above embodiments, the title, main cast, director, genre,country, year of release, production company, distribution company, andso on in for example the case where the content data is moving picturedata such as a movie. Further, when the content data is still image datasuch as photos, the information may include the date taken, size, typeof photo (scene, picture etc.), and photographer. Further, when thecontent data is text data such as with electronic publishing, theinformation may include the title, author, genre, publishing company,and so on.

Further, in the above embodiments, the track data, that is, the contentdata, was stored in the HDD 18, but the present invention is not limitedto this. Namely, the content data may also be stored in a flash memoryetc.

Further, the above embodiments were explained with reference to aportable audio player as an example, but the present invention is notlimited to this. It may be any reproduction device storing content data,performing playback, and having a display function. For example, it maybe an HDD recorder, electronic book terminal, DVD player, digitalcamera, or personal computer.

1. A reproduction device comprising: a reproduction unit configured toreproduce a content data including at least one of audio, video, andtext for which attribute data is assigned for each of a differentplurality of attributes; a display unit; a control unit configured tomake the display unit display a playback screen containing at least oneattribute data among the plurality of attribute data assigned to thecontent data when reproducing the content data and, when one attributedata among the attribute data composing the playback screen is selected,switch the display content of the content from the playback screen to alist relating to the selected attribute data.
 2. The reproduction deviceas set forth in claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an inputpart for receiving an operation content, and the control unit makes thedisplay unit display a playback screen containing at least one attributedata among the plurality of attribute data assigned to the content datawhen reproducing the content data and switches the display content ofthe display unit from the playback screen to the list relating to theselected attribute data when one attribute data among the attribute datacomposing the playback screen is selected based on the operation fromthe input part.
 3. The reproduction device as set forth in claim 1,wherein the display unit displays a cursor on the playback screen, andthe control unit moves the cursor based on the operation from the inputpart and makes the display unit display the list relating to theattribute data selected by the cursor.
 4. The reproduction device as setforth in claim 3, wherein the control unit displays the attribute databy scrolling when the attribute data at which the cursor is arranged iscontaining a predetermined number or more of letters.
 5. Thereproduction device as set forth in claim 1, wherein after switching thedisplay content of the display unit to the list relating to the specificattribute during reproduction of the content data, the control unitcontinues the reproduction of the content data being reproduced.
 6. Thereproduction device as set forth in claim 5, wherein after switching thedisplay content of the display unit to the list relating to the specificattribute during reproduction of the content data, the control unitcontinues the reproduction of the content data being reproduced untilreproduction of other content data is instructed.
 7. The reproductiondevice as set forth in claim 1, wherein when switching the displaycontent of the display unit from the playback screen to the listrelating to the selected attribute data, the control unit places acursor at attribute data of certain selected content data in the list.8. The reproduction device as set forth in claim 1, wherein, when anyitem of the list being displayed on the display unit is selected, thecontrol unit makes the reproduction unit start the reproduction of thecontent data corresponding to the selected item and, switches thedisplay content of the display unit from the list to the playback screencontaining a plurality of attribute data assigned to the content data.9. The reproduction device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controlunit manages the content data by classifying it into a plurality ofhierarchical levels based on the plurality of attributes, makes thedisplay unit display any list of the plurality of lists composedresponsive to the attributes, and, when any item is selected from amongthe displayed lists, makes the reproduction unit reproduce the contentdata corresponding to the selected item and switches the display contentfrom the list to the playback screen containing the plurality ofattribute data assigned to the content data, and, when one attributedata is selected from among the plurality of attribute data on theplayback screen, switches the playback screen to the selected attributedata.
 10. The reproduction device as set forth in claim 9, wherein theplurality of attributes are at least genres, artists, and track names ofthe content data, and the control unit manages the content data byclassifying the same to lists of the genre list, the artist list, andthe track name list based on the attribute information, makes thedisplay unit display any list of the lists, and, when any item isselected from among the displayed lists, makes the reproduction unitreproduce the content data corresponding to the selected item andswitches the display content from the list to the playback screencontaining the genre, artist name, and track name assigned to thecontent data, and, when the artist name is selected from among thegenre, artist name, and track name on the playback screen, switches theplayback screen to the artist list having the selected artist name asone of items.
 11. The reproduction device as set forth in claim 9,wherein, when one attribute data is selected from among the plurality ofattribute data on the playback screen, the control unit makes thedisplay unit display a list other than the list displayed immediatelybefore the switching to the playback screen.
 12. A display controlmethod when reproducing content data to which the attribute dataconcerning different plurality of attributes are assigned, comprisingthe steps of making a display unit display a playback screen containingat least one attribute data among the plurality of attribute dataassigned to the content data to be reproduced and switching the displaycontent of the display unit from the playback screen to a list relatingto selected attribute data when one attribute data is selected fromamong the attribute data composing the playback screen.
 13. The displaycontrol method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising the stepsof: detecting operation content input from an input unit, selecting oneattribute data among attribute data composing the playback screen basedon the operation content, and switching the display content of thedisplay unit from the playback screen to a list relating to the selectedattribute data.
 14. The display control method as set forth in claim 12,further comprising the steps of: displaying a cursor on the playbackscreen, moving the cursor based on the operation content input from theinput unit, and when one attribute data among the attribute datacomposing the playback screen is selected by the cursor, switching thedisplay content of the display unit from the playback screen to the listrelating to the selected attribute data.
 15. The display control methodas set forth in claim 14, further comprising a step of displaying theattribute data by scrolling when attribute data at which the cursor isarranged, containing a predetermined number or more of letters.
 16. Thedisplay control method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising thesteps of: starting reproduction of selected content when one attributedata among the attribute data composing the playback screen is selected,and continuing the reproduction of the content data being reproducedeven after switching the display content of the display to the listcorresponding to the specific attribute during reproduction of thecontent data.
 17. The display control method as set forth in claim 16,further comprising a step of continuing the reproduction of the contentdata being reproduced after switching the display content of the displayto the list corresponding to the specific attribute during reproductionof the content data until the reproduction of other content data isinstructed.
 18. The display control method as set forth in claim 12,further comprising a step of arranging the cursor at attribute data ofselected content data as one item of the list when switching the displaycontent of the display from the playback screen to the list relating tothe selected attribute data.
 19. The display control method as set forthin claim 12, further comprising the steps of, starting reproduction ofcontent data corresponding to a selected item when any item of the listdisplayed on the display unit is selected, and switching the displaycontent of the display from the list to the playback screen containingthe plurality of attribute data assigned to the content data.
 20. Thedisplay control method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising thesteps of, managing the content data classifying the same into aplurality of hierarchical levels based on the plurality of attributes,making the display unit display any list of the plurality of listscomposed responsive to based on the attributes, reproducing content datacorresponding to the selected item when any item is selected from amongthe displayed lists, switching the display content from the list to theplayback screen containing the plurality of attribute data assigned tothe content data, and switching the playback screen to the list relatingto the selected attribute data when one among the plurality of attributedata in the playback screen is selected.
 21. The display control methodas set forth in claim 20, wherein the plurality of attributes are atleast genres, artists, and track names of content data, and the methodfurther comprises the steps of: managing the content data classifyingthe same into lists of a genre list, an artist list, and a track namelist based on the attribute information; making the display unit displayany list of the lists; reproducing content data corresponding to aselected item when any item is selected from among displayed lists;switching the display content from the list to the playback screencontaining the genre, artist name, and track name assigned to thecontent data; and switching the playback screen to the artist listhaving the selected artist name as one item when the artist name amongthe genre, artist name, and track name on the playback screen isselected.
 22. The display control method as set forth in claim 20,further comprising a step of making the display unit display a listother than the list displayed immediately before the switching to theplayback screen when one among the plurality of attribute data on theplayback screen is selected.